Decisions of Westmoreland judges

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The following is a partial list of criminal cases handled by judges in Westmoreland County criminal court. Some of the cases involve first-time offenders being enrolled in the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program. The ARD program does not require an admission of guilt, but participants are placed in the program for up to two years. If they satisfactorily complete the program, they may file a petition to have the case expunged. Unless otherwise noted, court costs are placed on the defendant.

Judge Alfred B. Bell

• Michael Schweikarth, 27, of 1019 Greggerson Road, Penn Township, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. He was sentenced to probation for one year and was ordered to complete the day reporting program.

• Latasha Lynn Cottrell, 23, of 709 N. Third St., Jeannette, pleaded guilty to open lewdness, sell obscene/sexual materials and disorderly conduct. She was sentenced to 16 days to 12 months in jail, with credit for time served, was ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow recommended treatment.

• Ronald Joseph Menchio Jr., 46, of 449 College Ave., Greensburg, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and theft of services. He was sentenced to 90 days to 23 months in jail, with credit for time served. To a charge of resisting arrest/other law enforcement, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation for one year. He was ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow recommended treatment. Sentences are to run concurrently.

• Kayla Galensky, 20, of 15 Madison Ave., Herminie, pleaded guilty to theft by unlawful taking and was sentenced to probation for one year. She was ordered to continue in drug treatment.

• Daniel T. Gilmour, 55, of 12389 Roth Drive, North Huntingdon, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. He was sentenced to 72 hours to six months in jail, was ordered to attend an alcohol highway safety school and his license was suspended for 12 months.

• Bryan William Hockman, 35, of 891 Blue Jay Drive, North Huntingdon, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. He was sentenced to intermediate punishment for six months, with 60 days of electronic monitoring. He was ordered to attend an alcohol highway safety school and his license was suspended for 12 months. He was granted work release.

• Michael Gaza, 30, of 604 N. Fourth St., Jeannette, pleaded guilty to false reports. He was sentenced to two days to 12 months in jail, with credit for time served. He was ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow recommended treatment.

• William E. Lusher, 45, of 245 Hillcrest Drive, Trafford, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence -- second offense. He was sentenced to intermediate punishment for five years, with six months of electronic monitoring, was ordered to attend an alcohol highway safety school and his license was suspended for 18 months. He was granted work release.

• Kenneth Ray Mitchell, 52, of 19 Miller Ave., Uniontown, was sentenced to intermediate punishment for six months, with 40 days of electronic monitoring, for the charge of driving under the influence. He was ordered to attend an alcohol highway safety school and his license was suspended for 12 months. He was granted work release.

• Joseph Vandivner Jr., 23, of 219 Ridge Road, Centerville, pleaded guilty to corrupt organizations -- employee. He was sentenced to intermediate punishment for five years, with nine months of electronic monitoring. He was ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow all recommended treatment. He was ordered to have no illegal contact with pharmacies and to watch the movie "The Cinderella Man" and write a letter to the judge.

• Harley Leighty, 20, of 509 Westmoreland Ave., Irwin, pleaded guilty to retail theft. She was sentenced to probation for two years. To a separate charge of retail theft, she pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation for two years. She was ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow all recommended treatment. Sentences are to run concurrently.

• Joseph G. Schork, 30, of 640 W. Newton St., Greensburg, pleaded guilty to theft by unlawful taking and was sentenced to 30 days to 23 months in jail, with credit for time served. To a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation for one year. He was ordered undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation, follow recommended treatment, watch the movie "The Cinderella Man" and write a letter to the judge. He was ordered to pay restitution of $15,315.39. Sentences are to run consecutively.

• David Anthony Pedder Jr., 51, of 746 Robbins Station Road, North Huntingdon, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. He was sentenced to 72 hours to six months in jail, was ordered to attend an alcohol highway safety school and his license was suspended for 12 months.

• Curtis Blane Cottrell Sr., 47, of 161 Hamilton St., Irwin, charged with possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia, was accepted into the probation without verdict program for six months.

• Omar King, 37, of 759 W. Otterman St., Greensburg, pleaded guilty to fleeing or attempting to elude officer and accident involving death or injury. He was sentenced to one to 12 months in jail and was ordered not to operate a motor vehicle without a license.

• Joseph Douglas Berlin, 20, of 707 Yancey St., Hempfield, charged with possession of marijuana and use/possession of drug paraphernalia, was accepted into the probation without verdict program for six months. He was ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow all recommended treatment.

• Erik Joel Jenkins, 25, of 424 Cassatt Ave., Jeannette, pleaded guilty to use/possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to probation for one year and was ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow all recommended treatment.

• John Charles McDonald, 31, of 10070 Vermont St., North Huntingdon, pleaded guilty to retail theft. He was sentenced to probation for three years and was ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow all recommended treatment.

• Stanley Edward Brosnick, 39, of 1013 Jefferson St., Latrobe, pleaded guilty to harassment. He was sentenced to four to 12 months in jail. To charges of terroristic threats and harassment, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 11 1⁄2 to 23 months in jail. He was ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation, follow all recommended treatment and continue with mental health treatment. Sentences are to run concurrently.

• Terra L. Sanders, 32, of 512 Mt. Pleasant St., Greensburg, pleaded guilty to fraud obtaining food stamps/assistance and conspiracy. She was sentenced to probation for two years and was ordered to pay restitution of $24,753.89.

• Donald Babyak Sr., 37, of 209 Dewey Drive, New Kensington, pleaded guilty to use/possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to probation for one year and was ordered to undergo a drug evaluation and follow all recommended treatment.

• Christopher John Miller, 42, of 107 Mohican Drive, Hempfield, was sentenced to seven days to 23 months in jail for the charges of simple assault and harassment. He was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and follow all recommended treatment.

• Angello Reddix, 26, of 8159 Chasky St., Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty to manufacture, deliver or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to nine to 23 months in jail, to be followed by probation for one year. He was ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow all recommended treatment.

• Curtis Lee Graham, 24, of 1315 Everett St., Wilkinsburg, pleaded guilty to false reports to law enforcement officer. He was sentenced to six to 12 months in jail. To charges of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and possession of a controlled substance, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 21 to 48 months in jail. Sentences are to run concurrently.

• Stephen Lane Thomas, 46, of 614 Zane Ave., New Kensington, pleaded guilty to forgery and was sentenced to probation for one year.

• Robert Craig Edwards, 47, of 845 Route 31, Ruffsdale, pleaded guilty to criminal solicitation. He was sentenced to probation for six months.

Judge Debra A. Pezze

• James Douglas Patton, 46, of 1403 Poplar St., South Greensburg, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, was accepted into the probation without verdict program for six months.

• Ronald N. Gelormini, 49, of 259 Walpole Drive, Penn Hills, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. He was sentenced to three to six months in jail. He was ordered to attend an alcohol highway safety school and his license was suspended for 12 months.

• Nathaniel David Stawovy, 30, of 501 Creek Road, Scottdale, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. He and was sentenced to intermediate punishment for five years, with six months of electronic monitoring. He was ordered to attend an alcohol highway safety school and his license was suspended for 18 months. He was granted work release.

• Toby D. Ressler, 36, of 2202 Keystone Ave., Greensburg, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. He was sentenced to intermediate punishment for six months, with 40 days of electronic monitoring. He was ordered to attend an alcohol highway safety school and his license was suspended for 12 months.

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